Tuesday, July 5, 2011

Brü Haus has opened its doors right next to Cabo Cantina with around twenty draft beers and about the same number in bottles. Brü Haus is possibly Brentwood's first gastropub; at least I can't think of another.

The main fare at Brü Haus is the sausages with interesting selections (including a Berliner currywurst) and vegan options, burgers, and pretzels. They have about 20 beers on tap and an equal number in bottles.

Make sure you get some of their housemade sauces (sambal aioli, jalapeno ranch) to go with either your sausages, burger, or fries (or sweet potato tater tots). My favorite was the bright pink beetchup. Yes, that's beet ketchup. Sounds weird but I was hooked.

Their sausage selection varies from Bockwurst ($6.50) to Duck and Bacon, Duck and Foie Gras, Alligator and Pork Andouille, and Tequila Habanero Chicken ($8). For the herbivores, there are the Vegan Mexican Chipotle and Vegan Smoked Apple Sage sausages ($6.50).

What I particularly like here is their toasted, buttered, brioche buns. Sure it's buttery and thus heavier, but it's so much tastier than your standard hot dog buns! And hey, the beer is there to wash it down.
Both the sausages and the buns are acquired from local artisans.

I heard from friends that some of the bartenders there don't know the right glasses to pour the beers into, but I was there during the opening party and drank everything out of taster glasses, so I can't attest to that.

If you're more of a burger person, their Bru Burger ($11) also uses brioche buns, prime beef, gruyere or american cheese, caramelized onion and thousand island sauce.

(on another note, why are burgers over $10 most everywhere these days? They used to be the cheap meal of the week.)

I was overall happy with the food and beer selection at Brü Haus, which is certainly a welcome addition to Brentwood. The food is buttery and salty, but that's just fine once in a while. The street parking in the area is pretty difficult, but at least I can now be on this side of town and drink something other than Budweiser (even if not in the right vessel) while enjoying spicy sausages on buttery brioche, with a side of fries and beetchup!